The Ajax half marathon was a last minute addition to my meagre race calendar. While experimenting with lower mileage, I had hit fewer races than I usually do in a marathon build up. The lure of the half marathon so close to home was too great for me. I had to do it. Even though it is a small race, you simply can’t replicate a race atmosphere in training. With the Scotia marathon only three weeks away, I needed a really long run. The half marathon wouldn’t be long enough, so how does a 38km half sound?
My plan was to run easy through the route for 17km, hit a bathroom, then the start line for a marathon pace effort. My hope would be to hit marathon pace for maybe 10km, 15 if I am really feeling good. This was going to be no easy task as I had endured a long 18km tempo on Tuesday at 4:17 pace, then followed that up with a track workout on Thursday running 1200s x6. My legs were not going to be happy. It would be a true marathon simulation, testing all elements from clothing, to nutrition, to late race fatigue.
Race morning dawned unusually cold, with most volunteers bundled in hoodies, hats and mittens. I arrived at the race site an hour and a half early, shivering through my 17km “warm up” with my sister cycling beside me for company. It was an excellent opportunity to enjoy the scenery on the course. It is a fantastic course, showcasing the beautiful waterfront views. It is by no means an easy route though, with the rolling hills keeping you working . The Leduc brothers did a great job marking up the course so no one would get lost.
During the first few kms of the race I cruised, assessing how the legs were going to manage and sticking to the game plan of picking up the pace in the later stages. I wasn’t aware of how many women were behind, in front, or around. I hadn’t planned on racing, or even attempting a podium finish. Or so I thought.
By 5km I had noted that I was sitting in 2nd place, cruising at 4:20 ish pace. The agony of needing a bathroom was beginning to hit and I knew I would need to hold on until Lakeridge Rd. It was the fastest porta potty stop for me ever – 45 seconds. The frustration of that stop must have put me in overdrive because my pace started to drop. I was in 2nd so I might as well try to hold it. By 15km in the race, the body was starting to complain. I was now at 32km of my run and my hamstrings were starting to tighten. At the 17km water station I was pleased as punch to see my family and a few Running Free folk, barely recognizable in their hats and mitts.
I needed that lift to get through the last hill. Why must they always put the photographer at the top of the last gruelling hill? I barely mustered a grimace as I willed my legs to move. This was certainly becoming a marathon simulation run. My pace was slowing slightly. In the final 2km you cruise down Harwood street with half the road to yourself. I would have felt like a rockstar if I hadn’t been so tired. I was thrilled to see the finish banner around the corner as I dropped the pace again and mustered a 4min final km. I was thrilled to not only snag a 2nd place but to hit my pace target exactly in 1:31.45 (that 45 seconds was the potty break).
Was it my fastest half marathon? Not a chance. But I’m thrilled that I executed the perfect 38km half.
As it turned out, that race was my final race of the season. The very next day I snubbed my big toe on a cement stair and likely broke it, leaving me unable to run. I attempted to come back to running just before marathon day. Alas, it wasn’t enough time and I made the decision to DNF in Scotia, knowing I had already risked a long injury.
Ajax Half marathon wasn’t my fastest half marathon. Sometimes the best races are not your fastest.
